Tag: credit card debt

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

The Effects Debt Has On Your Emotions

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The average U.S. household carries debt- more than $132,000 in fact, including mortgages.  Approximately 40 percent of households have credit card debt.  The interest on credit cards alone is costing as much as $1,300 per household per year.

If you are struggling with debt, understanding the common emotions and actions surrounding debt can help you take positive steps moving forward to help improve your financial and mental health.

Powerlessness. If you have a large amount of debt, it can make you feel powerless.  The best way to fight back is to take control.  Get on a budget and stick to it.  Knowing that you are taking control and have a plan in place will help you regain a sense of power.

PTSD-like symptoms. A recent survey found that one in four people who are in debt have symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. That number is even higher for millennials. Among people age 18-34 who are in debt, 36 percent suffer. Symptoms can include denial, avoidance (such as not paying bills), and not being able to sleep.

Fear & Anxiety.  Debt can make us anxious.  Be proactive and set up auto-pays on recurring bills you have.  It will give you one less thing to think about.  Put credit cards away (only temporarily, remember not to close out the accounts).

Retail Cravings. Nearly two-thirds of women and 40 percent of men have spent money to improve their mood, according to research. If you overspend, any euphoria you experience will surely diminish once the bills arrive in the mail.  When you feel yourself wanting to spend, ask yourself what’s really going on. Think of the HALT acronym: Are you hungry, angry, lonely or tired?   Address these feelings head-on without the use of a credit card.

Lowered defenses.  Lowered defenses might be caused by anything from having a couple of glasses of wine to a break-up, to battling a cold. Be smart about your spending.  To resist online impulse buys, delete credit card information stored on your computer and mobile devices.

Celebration. Did you recently receive a bonus or land a big account?  When it comes to the risk of debt, feeling overly happy can be just as dangerous as feeling overly sad, which can oftentimes cause a financial splurge. Put any financial gain toward your debt or into savings.

If you are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Related Resources:

http://www.wbrc.com/story/34555906/6-ways-debt-can-wreak-havoc-with-your-emotions

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Qualifying for a loan is getting harder for some consumers

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Banks are becoming more selective when it comes to approving loans for those with less than perfect credit.  The data is surprising as many consumers seem to be benefiting from job growth and lower debt levels.  However, 11.7% of banks have tightened their standards for auto loans in the first quarter, from 3.3% last year, according to the Federal Reserve and Deutsche Bank.

Credit card standards were strengthened by 8.3% of banks, compared to none in the fourth quarter.  With the economy in its eighth year of recovery, lenders are extending their reach to those with cash flow pressures, borrowers at low – and middle class income levels to increase revenue.

The share of delinquent personal loans and credit card debt increased in the third quarter to 3.53% and 1.33% respectively, according to TransUnion and UBS.  Out of those consumers surveyed, 18% said they expected to default on a loan payment in the next 12 months, up from 12% in December.

The number of subprime auto loans (those requiring a FICO score of 600 or lower) that were at least 90 days delinquent reached the highest level since 2010 in the third quarter at 6 million.  The number of bad loans were by auto finance companies, not banks.

Two-thirds of the households who earn less than $40,000 say financial concerns have increased over the past six months for them.  The latest numbers reflect the incomes of many low- to moderate-income working families are not keeping up with the costs of rising health insurance deductibles and monthly expenses.

Click here to read more on this story.

If you are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

6 Credit Score Killers and How to Avoid Them

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There are financial missteps you can make that are guaranteed to lower your credit score.  One of the biggest factors in determining your credit score is your past payment history, but there are other things you may be doing that can affect your score in a negative way.

  • A first missed payment. Per a FICO study, a single 30-day late payment can cause a good credit score of 780 to fall 90 to 110 points. An average score of 680, can fall by 60 to 80 points. You can avoid missing payments by setting up auto-pay from a linked checking account every month.  If auto pay makes you uneasy, you can set up automatic alerts that will remind you when your bill is due.
  • A maxed out credit card. Credit utilization is the second most important factor of credit scores, so reaching your card’s credit limit can be problematic. What’s worse, is if you have multiple cards you are doing this with. Remember, for optimal credit score results, it is recommended you keep the amount of debt you owe collectively and on individual cards below 30%, and ideally 10% of your credit limit.
  • An error. This happens more often than you might think.  A report from the Federal Trade Commission discovered that one in five Americans had an error on their credit reports.  Staying on top of your credit score and monitoring it for mistakes can help.
  • An account in collections. That medical bill you thought insurance covered or a utility bill you forgot to pay in college can drop your score 50 to 100 points (if it winds up on your credit report).  That account can legally stay there for up to seven years, plus 180 days from the date of your first missed payment. Keep an eye on your mail for any outstanding debts and resist the urge to ignore a call from a debt collector.
  • Applying for several credit cards or loans at a time. These credit inquiries account for 10% of your credit score.  Keep credit applications to a minimum.  Making several requests in a short period of time can cause your credit score to dip.
  • Closing out your old credit cards. Another component of your credit score, 15%, is the length of your credit history. Closing old credit cards, especially your oldest card, makes your credit history seem shorter than it really is.

If you are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Related Resources:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/5-big-credit-score-killers-110000016.html

https://www.thebalance.com/things-that-hurt-credit-score-960510

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

How to Tackle Long Term Credit Card Debt

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It takes 13 years to pay off a $5,000 credit card bill, if you only pay the minimum each month. Florida is in the top 5 states with the highest credit card burden, according to a recent study from CreditCards.com. The study also sheds light on the effects high credit card debt has on U.S. household finances.

By allocating at least 15% of gross monthly income toward credit card debt, the typical Florida consumer’s payoff time drops to just 18 months and costs $678 in interest, in the above scenario.

Here are some other proven ways to help tackle long-term credit card debt.

Be careful how you spend that bonus check.  Seasonal commissions and bonus checks can provide an added sense of confidence when it comes to spending.  Not a good thing, if you are struggling to pay down credit card debt.  Break this extra income up into three parts: debt reduction, major purchase and savings.  Remember: paying off a large portion of credit card debt can save you thousands in interest.

Consolidate.  If you have multiple unsecured loans that you would like to have lumped into one payment, debt consolidation may benefit you.  This option gives you the opportunity to save hundreds of dollars with a lower interest rate and you can combine all of your payments into a single monthly payment.

Cut your budget. One of the best ways to pay down your debt is to find savings elsewhere. Cut down on your grocery bill, cancel monthly membership fees you may not be using as much as you thought you would, etc.

Define your goals. Do you want to reduce your debt or be completely debt-free?  Set timelines for yourself and how much you need to pay to meet those goals each month.

Prioritize. Focus on paying off the highest-interest debt, first. This is your biggest financial drain.  Another idea is the “snowball method,” which essentially means paying off the debt with the smallest balance first, continuing to the debt with the next lowest balance, etc.  This strategy allows you to see immediate results in paying down debt, and builds confidence and momentum to keep you on track to pay down the rest of the debt.

Click here to read more on this story.

If you are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com

Related Resources:

https://www.thestreet.com/story/13937063/1/how-to-tackle-the-high-costs-of-long-term-credit-card-debt.html

 

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

FTC Cracks Down on Dishonest Payday Lenders

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The FTC has been targeting fraudulent payday lending companies, headquartered in Missouri and Kansas, with consumer settlements reaching as high as $1.266 billion. The FTC recently announced charges against Joel Jerome Tucker, and his companies, SQ Capital LLC, JT Holding Inc., and HPD LLC, for selling portfolios made up of phony payday loans.

The loans listed in the portfolios named fake lenders and debtors, including their social security and bank account numbers, and led to collection activities against consumers who had not taken out loans, according to the FTC.

In another case, a settlement was reached between the FTC and payday lenders, Tim Coppinger and Ted Rowland, and their companies.

Under the terms of the agreement, the lenders paid nearly $1 million with the threat of substantially greater judgments (up to $32 million) should they fail to abide by the terms of the settlement agreement. The fraudulent activity included debiting money from the accounts of people who never requested loans, but for whom the payday lender had obtained personal information. They would then charge interest and fees on the unauthorized loans.

Click here to read more on this story.

If you are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

The U.S. States that Struggle the Most with Credit Card Debt

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When it comes to managing debt, the Sun Belt states are struggling more than others: Florida, Georgia, Texas and New Mexico have the heaviest credit card debt burdens in the nation, according to CreditCards.com.

The Southern states struggled more with low incomes than high debts.  For example, Florida’s average credit card debt per bank cardholder ranks 18 among 50 states, but its median income ranks 41.  It would take a typical Florida cardholder nearly 13 years to pay off the state’s average credit card debt of $5,603 and they would pay more than $3,600 in interest.

Here are the states with the highest amount of credit card debt burdens, ranked by the number of months it would take to pay off the debt if 15 percent of their gross monthly income went towards payments.

  1. Florida

Average credit card balance: $5,603

Median earnings: $28,381

Months to pay off: 18

Interest to pay off: $678

  1. Texas

Average credit card balance: $6,009

Median earnings: $31,038

Months to pay off: 18

Interest to pay off: $712

  1. Georgia

Average credit card balance: $5,953

Median earnings: $30,284

Months to pay off: 18

Interest to pay off: $716

  1. New Mexico

Average credit card balance: $5,615

Median earnings: $26,244

Months to pay off: 20

Interest to pay off: $743

  1. Alaska

Average credit card balance: $7,552

Median earnings: $35,552

Months to pay off: 20

Interest to pay off: $992

If you are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Related Resources:

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/22/the-us-states-that-carry-the-heaviest-card-debt-burdens.html

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Tips to Avoid Credit Card Debt this Holiday

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The holiday season is one of the busiest and most expensive times of the year for consumers.  Sometimes it is easier to just swipe a credit card at the register and deal with the bills after the holidays.  However, this approach can make for an unpleasant start to the New Year.

Here are some important tips to avoid going into credit card debt this holiday season.

  • Plan your holiday shopping list. Plan your gift purchases in advance and limit the cost by only purchasing items from the designated list and not adding extras.
  • Space out your purchases. Space your purchases out over the coming weeks.  You will have more time to find the best deals and not get stuck paying last minute high priced mark-ups.
  • Secret Santa. Gift exchanges are a great way to cut costs on what seems like an endless list of purchases. Have family and friends choose a name out of a hat, and then buy a gift for the person selected.
  • Set a price limit. Gifts, décor and party hosting are all part of the fun of the holiday season! But remember to limit your spending to a specific dollar amount so you do not go overboard.
  • Shop online. If you are planning to make the most of your gift purchases online, wait until Free Shipping Day. This year it falls on Dec. 16, 2016, when all participating online retailers promise to deliver your gifts by Christmas Eve.
  • Never pay full price. Avoid paying full retail price whenever possible. Follow your favorite store on social media, sign up to receive their email blasts as they will often share exclusive discounts and coupons with followers. Sign up for price alerts and use shopping comparison apps to ensure you never overpay for any items.

At Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. we want you to shop smart this holiday season!  If you are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Related Resources:

http://www.popsugar.com/career/How-Can-I-Avoid-Credit-Card-Debt-Over-Holidays-42656636

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Woman Wins $83 Million in Lawsuit Against Debt Collector

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A Kansas City woman won $83 million in a lawsuit she filed against a debt collector for illegal debt collection practices for a $1,000 credit card bill. The Missouri jury found the collection agency, Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC, guilty of “malicious prosecution.”

The agency reportedly violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, for which it will pay $250,000 in damages. Maria Guadalupe Mejia was also awarded $82,990,000 for malicious prosecution over a credit card debt that did not belong to her.

PRA Group Inc., which owns Portfolio Recovery Associates, sent a statement about the verdict to Credit.com. “This outlandish verdict defies all common sense. We hope and expect the judge will set aside this inappropriate award, and we plan to file motions to make that request formally in the near term. Any fair reading of the facts of this case makes plain that a verdict of this size is not justice by any means, and cannot stand,” spokesman Michael McKeon wrote.

In 2013 Portfolio Recovery sued Mejia over credit card debt that belonged to a man in Kansas City, Kansas, with a similar name. The agency, which is one of the nation’s largest debt buyers, attempted to collect on the debt for over a year after Mejia first received notice of the lawsuit.

Click here to read more on the story.

If you are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Credit Card Debt Approaches Post Recession Levels

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 According to the Household Debt and Credit report released by the Federal Reserve Bank, total household debt balances grew slowly throughout the second quarter of this year. As of June 30, 2016, total household debt had reached $12.29 trillion, up $35 billion from the first quarter of 2016.

At the same time, the nation’s cumulative credit card balance reached $729 billion, which is up $17 billion from the first quarter. While still below its peak of $866 billion in the fourth quarter of 2008, economists say that the numbers are on track to reach pre-recession levels of credit card debt around the second quarter of 2017. However, economists also say that conditions might change and previous numbers do not necessarily mean we will enter into another recession.

While credit card debt is up, credit card usage is actually down substantially from previous highs. Credit card usage peaked in 2008 at 68 percent of borrowers, then swiftly declined to 59 percent during the recession due to banks reactively and proactively closing accounts.

Click here to read more on this story.

If you are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Beware of Credit Card Skimming Scams at Gas Stations

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Consumer protection officials are warning consumers about a new form of high-tech theft that can affect all credit and debt card users. Scammers are using devices known as ‘skimmers’ at gas pumps to steal account information from debit and credit cards that are swiped. These devices are also commonly found at ATMs.

According to Mississippi state Attorney General, Jim Hood, the devices are difficult to detect and come in two forms: internal or external. The external devices fit over the actual card readers at the pumps. The internal devices are typically communication cables connected to a device that records data from the cards.

“These devices may go undetected for weeks, all the while gathering sensitive account information from unsuspecting consumers,” Hood said. “Consumers need to call their financial institutions immediately if they see any unauthorized activity on their accounts, and watch closely for signs of tampering when using gas pumps or ATMs.”

Authorities offer the following tips to avoid becoming a victim of card skimming:

  • Pick pumps close to the entrance of the gas station or convenience store. Skimmers usually target pumps that are not near the entrance.
  • Pay with cash.
  • If you’re using a debit card, choose the option to process the payment as credit so scammers do not have access to your PIN.
  • Lightly wiggle the card reader on the pump. External skimmers might feel loose and come off.
  • Ask gas stations and convenience stores what type of anti-skimming measures they have adopted.

According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, more than 250 skimmers were confiscated from gas pumps between July 2015 and July 2016. Approximately 100 consumers’ card numbers were stolen from each device and $1,000 stolen from each consumer.

Click here to read more on this story.

If you are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.